Case with retractable clasp hook

ABSTRACT

A case is provided, notably for cosmetic products. The case includes a base and a lid which are articulated relative to one another. The case includes locking means allowing the lid to be kept in a position in which it is closed onto the base, characterized in that the locking means are articulated relative to the base and/or to the lid in such a way as to be retracted inside the base and/or the lid via the opening of the lid.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to French Patent Application Serial Number 1352671, filed Mar. 25, 2013, entitled “CASE WITH RETRACTABLE CLASP HOOK”, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a case, notably for a cosmetic product.

2. Description of the Related Art

The field of cases for cosmetic products offers varying closure devices, particularly closure devices using clasp hooks. However, the user may be inconvenienced when these hooks are visible by the unpleasant sensation that these hooks have to the touch, on the one hand, and on the other hand, if the user is sensitive to the overall aesthetic of the case.

There are also closure devices which use magnets. Although magnetic closure devices overcome the disadvantages set out hereinabove, they do have other shortcomings, particularly in terms of cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to cases for cosmetic products and provide for a novel and non-obvious closure device for a case. In an embodiment of the present invention, a case, notably for a cosmetic product, is provided that includes a base and a lid which are articulated relative to one another, the lid being configured to occupy a position in which it is closed onto the base and a position which is open relative to the base. According to the invention, the case includes locking means articulated relative to the base and/or to the lid in such a way as to be retracted into the base and/or the lid when the lid is in the open position, the lid being configured to actuate the locking means allowing the lid to be kept in the position in which it is closed on the base.

Thus the invention proposes a closure device that is not visible to the user, particularly when the lid of the case is open, and achieves the same without the use of magnets. The device also has the advantage of being operable through a simple gesture because the user need not retract the closure means after having opened the lid of the case; that takes place automatically as a result of merely opening the lid. It also has the advantage of remaining economical by using one of the actual components of the case, namely the lid, to operate the locking means.

According to various embodiments of the invention which may be considered together or separately:

-   -   the lid and the base are articulated in rotation about an axis         of articulation, notably a hinge,     -   the locking means and the base are articulated in rotation about         an axis of articulation,     -   the axis of articulation of the locking means is parallel to the         axis of articulation of the lid,     -   the locking means are situated on the opposite side to the axis         of articulation of the lid, of the axis of articulation of the         locking means,     -   the axis of articulation of the locking means is midway between         the hinge and the locking means,     -   the axis of articulation of the lid is situated near a tangent         to the periphery of the case,     -   the case comprises a kinematic linkage provided with at least         one intermediate component provided with the locking means, the         lid being configured to act on the kinematic linkage,     -   at least part of the intermediate component is articulated about         the axis of articulation of the locking means,     -   the lid comprises a skeleton and an articulation part deriving         from the skeleton, the articulation part forming the hinge and         comprising mechanical means able to convert the opening of the         lid into a movement of the kinematic linkage,     -   the mechanical means comprise a protrusion, preferably formed at         one with the lid,     -   the protrusion is able to cause the intermediate component to         pivot inside the base,     -   the intermediate component is a rocker,     -   the protrusion is able to press against a first end of the         rocker, the first end being situated near the hinge,     -   the protrusion is configured to press on the first end so as to         keep the opposite end of the rocker in a raised position,     -   retraction of the rocking means with respect to the base occurs         under the effect of gravity,     -   retraction of the locking means with respect to the base is         forced by an elastic element such as a spring,     -   the case comprises a tray able to slide with respect to the         base, the tray being configured to move relative to the base         when the lid is rotated, the tray comprising a first end         provided with means of connection to the lid, particularly the         protrusion, and a second end provided with cams able to cause         the articulated part of the intermediate component to tilt, the         articulated part comprising the locking means,     -   only the articulated part of the intermediate component is able         to pivot inside the base, the remaining part of the intermediate         component being fed into the base,     -   the cams are able to cause the elastic deformation of the         articulated part of the intermediate component,     -   the cams are lateral protrusions, preferably formed as one with         the tray, the protrusions being able to slide in guide means         situated in the base,     -   the intermediate component is configured to be housed in the         base,     -   the locking means take the form of one or more clasp hooks able         to collaborate with one or more corresponding mating shape(s)         situated inside the lid.

Finally, the case may have an exterior shape that is parallelepipedal, substantially rectangular, or even of circular, hexagonal, triangular cross section or any other shape that is conceivable for such a case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages therefore will become clearly apparent during the course of the detailed explanatory description which will follow, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting examples with reference to the attached schematic drawings.

FIG. 1 shows, in a side view, a first embodiment of a case according to the invention, some of the components being visible as hidden detail, the lid of the case being in the open position and the locking means being retracted,

FIG. 2 shows the case of FIG. 1, with the lid of the case held in the closed position by the locking means,

FIG. 3 shows, in a transverse plane of section, a second embodiment of a case according to the invention, the lid of the case being in the open position and the locking means being retracted,

FIG. 4 shows the case of FIG. 3, with the lid of the case in an intermediate position and the locking means still retracted,

FIG. 5 shows the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid of the case being held in the closed position by the locking means,

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the case according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the case according to the second embodiment of the invention; the view depicting, in side view, the base, the sliding tray and the intermediate component when the lid is in the open position,

FIG. 8 shows the view of FIG. 7 when the lid of the case is in an intermediate position, and the locking means are still retracted,

FIG. 9 shows the view of FIG. 7 when the lid of the case is held in the closed position by the locking means,

FIG. 10 shows, in perspective and in a transverse plane of section, the sliding tray and the intermediate component according to the second embodiment, when the lid of the case is in the open position,

FIG. 11 shows the view of FIG. 10 when the lid of the case is in the closed position,

FIG. 12 schematically shows the retraction of the locking means according to a third embodiment,

FIG. 13 schematically shows a principle of the retraction of the locking means according to a fourth embodiment,

FIGS. 14 and 15 schematically show a principle of the retraction of the locking means according to a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated, the invention relates to a case 10, 10′, notably for a cosmetic product, comprising a base 20, 20′ and a lid 30, 30′ which are articulated relative to one another. The base 20, 20′ and the lid 30, 30′ are advantageously articulated, in rotation, about a hinge 12, 12′. The axis of articulation X, X′ about which the rotation occurs here lies near the periphery of the case 10, 10′; the axis X, X′ is visible in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The case 10, 10′ further comprises locking means allowing the lid 30, 30′ to be held in a position in which it is closed onto the base 20, 20′. According to the invention, the locking means 42, 42′ are articulated relative to the base 20, 20′, in this instance about an axis of articulation Y, Y′, so that they can be retracted inside the base 20, 20′ by the opening of the lid 30, 30′. The axis Y, Y′ is visible in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 10. This axis of articulation Y, Y′ is parallel to the axis of articulation X, X′ about which the lid 30, 30′ is able to rotate relative to the base 20, 20′. The locking means 42, 42′ are situated on the opposite side of the axis of articulation Y, Y′ to the axis of articulation X, X′.

It is also possible for the locking means 42, 42′ to be situated on lateral sides of the case, for example to collaborate with lateral edges of the lid.

The locking means take, for example, the form of at least one clasp hook 42, 42′ able to collaborate with at least one mating shape 32, 32′ situated inside the lid 30, 30′. The locking means can also take the form of two clasp hooks 42, 42′ able to collaborate with two mating shapes 32, 32′ situated inside the lid.

The shape given to the clasp hook 42, 42′ as to the mating shape 32, 32′ in the figures is nonlimiting. It is in fact conceivable to provide any other shape of clasp hook 42, 42′ which performs the function of keeping the lid 30, 30′ in the position in which it is closed down onto the base 20, 20′.

Furthermore, the case 10, 10′ comprises a kinematic linkage provided with an intermediate component 40, 40′. The clasp hook or hooks 42, 42′ belong to this intermediate component 40, 40′.

The remainder of this description will be devoted to explaining the way in which the lid 30, 30′ acts on the intermediate component 40, 40′ in order to cause the clasp hook or hooks 42, 42′ to retract into the base 20, 20′ as the lid 30, 30′ is opened.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid acts directly on the intermediate component 40 which bears the axis of articulation Y, here situated midway between the hinge 12 and the locking means 32, 42.

It is also conceivable for the axis of articulation Y to be positioned anywhere between the hinge 12 and the locking means 32, 42.

The lid 30 is in two parts, a first part 31 referred to as the articulation part, and a second part 33 referred to as the skeleton of the lid. The articulation part 31 is derived from the skeleton 33 of the lid and collaborates with the hinge 12 about which the base 20 and the lid 30 are articulated in rotation.

The articulation part 31 has a protrusion 34, preferably formed as one with the lid 30, more particularly with the skeleton 33. This protrusion 34 allows the intermediate component 40 to tilt about the axis of articulation Y. For this, the protrusion 34 butts against the end 41 of the intermediate component 40 situated near it; this causes the intermediate component 40 to tilt with respect to the axis of articulation Y. Remember that the clasp hook or hooks 42 are situated on the opposite side of the axis of articulation Y to the end 41.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 2, once the lid 30 is closed, the protrusion 34 keeps the intermediate component 40 tilted and the clasp hook or hooks 42 in the raised position. The clasp hook or hooks 42 kept in the raised position collaborate with the mating shape or shapes 32 here produced in the skeleton 33 of the lid 30 so as to keep the lid 30 in the position in which it is closed onto the base 20.

The protrusion 34 therefore acts as a mechanical means capable of converting the opening and closing of the lid 30 into a tilting of the intermediate component 40; the intermediate component 40 is therefore a rocker.

The intermediate component 40 has, for example, an annular shape, corresponding to the periphery of the base 20. The case 10 may furthermore comprise a receptacle, possibly compartmentalized, to hold the product or products contained in the case 10. The receptacle is situated in the base 20. The intermediate component 40 is situated between the receptacle and the base 20.

FIGS. 3 to 11 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.

This embodiment has a case 10′ comprising a tray 50′ which can slide relative to the base 20′. The tray 50′ is configured to move relative to the base 20′ when the lid 30′ is rotated. The tray 50′ comprises a first end 51′ connected to the lid 30′, particularly to the articulation part 31′ of the lid 30′.

The lid 30′ indeed has two parts here also, a first part 31′ referred to as the articulation part, and a second part 33′ referred to as the skeleton of the lid 30′. As in the previous embodiment, the articulation part 31′ may be derived from the skeleton 33′ and collaborate with the hinge 12′ about which the base 20′ and the lid 30′ are articulated in rotation.

As is more visible in FIG. 4, the articulation part 31′ comprises an arm 34′ formed as one with the skeleton 33′. This arm 34′ follows the movement of the lid 30′. It is articulated in rotation with the tray 50′ and it is precisely this arm 34′ which operates the sliding.

Furthermore, the tray 50′ is provided with cams 53′ at the opposite end 52′. These cams 53′, particularly visible in FIGS. 6, 8, 10 and 11, slide in guide rails 60′ set into the base 20′. The cams 53′ are lateral protrusions, preferably formed as one with the tray 50′ from the same material. The material will preferably be from the plastics family, and could be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) for example.

The exploded view of FIG. 6 is useful in illustrating this second embodiment. It shows, amongst other things, that the lid 30′ may comprise a component 36′ forming the skeleton. The mating shape or shapes 32′ will be made in this component 36′. Furthermore, this component 36′ has two opposite faces, one for the attachment of an accessory such as a mirror body 37′, and the other for the external trim of the lid.

It can also been seen, from FIG. 6, that the tray 50′ may comprise a receptacle 54′, possibly compartmentalized, to hold at least some of the products contained in the case 10′.

In this embodiment, the base 20′ may comprise an internal surrounding trim 62′ that fits into it.

Furthermore, the intermediate component 40′ will here be situated between the surrounding trim 62′ and the base 20′. The intermediate component 40′ will, for example, have an annular shape as in the first embodiment. This annular shape corresponds to the periphery of the base 20′ and there is all around the surrounding trim 62′. The intermediate component 40′ will further have an articulated part 45′ around the axis of articulation Y′; the articulated part 45′ comprising the clasp hook or hooks 42′.

Only the articulated part 45′ of the intermediate component 40′ will be able to pivot inside the base 20′, the remaining part of the intermediate component 40′ having no degree of freedom in relation to the base 20′.

It is advantageous to note that the insetting of the remaining part into the base 20′ is not necessarily permanent.

The surrounding trim 62′ visible in this exploded view hides the intermediate component 40′ from the user. It should be noted that one or more slots 64′ are made in the surface of the surrounding trim to allow the passage of the clasp hook or hooks 42′. The surrounding trim 62′ may form a receptacle in its middle. This receptacle may hold some of the products contained in the case 10′, for example a sponge 63′.

Also visible in FIG. 6 are guide rails 61′ which will be fixed inside the base 20′. The guide rails here have the guide rails 60′ in which the cams 53′ will slide. The use of guide rails 61′ improves the sliding of the cams 53′ in the rails 60′ by better control of clearances and reduces parasitic noise. These guide rails will preferably be made of plastic, for example based on polyoxymethylene (POM).

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate the sliding of these cams 53′ in the guide rails 60′.

FIGS. 3 and 7 both show the case 10′ in the open position. In this position, the clasp hook or hooks 42′ are in the lowered position. The tray is in a position that allows access to the receptacle formed by the surrounding trim 62′. As may be seen from FIG. 10, the cams 53′ do not interfere with the articulated part 45′ of the intermediate component 40′ which is intended to be at rest in the lowered position.

FIGS. 4 and 8 illustrate the case 10′ when the lid 30′ is in an intermediate position, neither open nor closed. The arm 34′ belonging to the articulation part 31′ of the lid 30′ causes the tray 50′ to which it is articulated to move. This tray slides in the guide rails 60′ via the cams 53′ situated at the opposite end 52′ to the end via which the tray 50′ is driven. The objective is to get the tray 50′ to become lodged into the base 20′ over the receptacle formed by the surrounding trim 62′, while bringing the clasp hook or hooks 42′ to the raised position.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, this objective is achieved when the cams 53′, by beginning to interfere with the articulated part 45′ of the intermediate component 40′, cause said articulated part to rise until the clasp hook or hooks 42′ are positioned in the raised position. What happens is that the intermediate component 40′ is articulated relative to the base 20′ about the axis Y′ visible in FIG. 10. This raising movement can be achieved through elastic deformation of the articulated part 45′ of the intermediate component 40′.

FIGS. 5 and 9 illustrate the case 10′ when the lid 30′ is in the closed position. The cams 53′ have come into abutment in the guide rails 60′. It will be noted here that the part 45′ provided with the clasp hook or hooks 42′ pivots relative to the base 20′ whereas the part of the intermediate component 40′ that is on the opposite side of the axis Y′ to the part provided with the clasp hook or hooks 42′ remains immobile because it is set into the base 12′.

When the clasp hook or hooks 42′ are in the raised position, the lid 30′ is in the closed position and the clasp hook or hooks 42′ collaborate with the mating shape or shapes provided in the skeleton 33′ of the lid 30′ in order to keep the lid 30′ in the position in which it is closed onto the base 20′.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments that have just been described.

Although not indicated in the figures, the rising movement of the clasp hook or hooks 42, 42′ is preferably initiated when the angle between the lid 30, 30′ and the base 20, 20′ goes past 30 degrees on its way towards 0 degrees. Furthermore, the clasp hook or hooks retract when the angle between the lid 30, 30′ and the base 20, 20′ goes past 30 degrees on its way towards 180 degrees.

It would have been appreciated that in the first embodiment, retraction of the clasp hook or hooks 42, 42′ into the base 20, 20′ takes place under the effect of gravity. This retraction may also be forced by a spring of the return spring type; it being possible for the spring to be situated, for example, between the base 20, 20′ and the intermediate component 40, 40′. That being the case, such features could also be used, amongst others, with the second embodiment.

It should be noted that alternative forms of embodiment are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in a third, fourth and fifth embodiment, for the clasp hook to be retracted into the base 20 of the case 10 in a different way than the way described hereinabove.

FIG. 12 illustrates the retraction of a clasp hook 42′ in a translational movement rather than a tilting movement. This depiction is schematic.

FIG. 13 illustrates a fourth embodiment in which retraction of the clasp hook 42″ is intended to be from the front face of the base 20. The clasp hook 42″ is no longer retracted into the base 20″ through a downwards movement but through a lateral movement.

As a result, the lid 30″ has a return 35″ into which the clasp hook 42″ engages in order to keep the case 10″ closed.

A fifth embodiment is also conceivable. The fifth embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. In the three embodiments described hereinabove, the hook 42, 42′, 42″ is retracted into the base 20, 20′, 20″ by a downwards movement or even via a lateral movement. In this fifth embodiment, the hook 42″' is retracted by rotation about an axis Z; the axis is visible in FIGS. 14 and 15.

It is entirely possible to combine the embodiments set out hereinabove in order to optimize the expected result.

It is also possible to provide for the locking means to be articulated relative to the lid. The latter is then configured so that the locking means are retracted into the lid as it opens.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows: 

What is claimed is:
 1. A case for a cosmetic product, comprising: a base and a lid which are articulated relative to one another, the lid being configured to occupy a position in which it is closed onto the base and a position which is open relative to the base, the case comprising locking means articulated relative to the base, the lid, or the base and the lid in such a way as to be retracted into the base, the lid, or the base and the lid when the lid is in the open position, the lid being configured to actuate the locking means allowing the lid to be kept in the position in which it is closed on the base.
 2. The case according to the claim 1, wherein the lid and the base are articulated in rotation relative to one another about an axis of articulation, the locking means being situated on an opposite side of the axis of articulation of the lid on an axis of articulation that is parallel to the axis of articulation of the lid.
 3. The case according to claim 1, further comprising a kinematic linkage provided with at least one intermediate component provided with the locking means, the lid being configured to act upon the kinematic linkage.
 4. The case according to claim 3, wherein at least part of the intermediate component is articulated about the axis of articulation of the locking means.
 5. The case according to claim 1, wherein the lid and the base are articulated relative to one another in rotation about a hinge.
 6. The case according to claim 5, wherein the lid comprises a skeleton and an articulation part deriving from the skeleton, the articulation part forming the hinge and comprising mechanical means able to convert the opening of the lid into a movement of the kinematic linkage.
 7. The case according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical means comprises a protrusion adapted to cause the intermediate component to pivot inside the base.
 8. The case according to claim 4 wherein the kinematic linkage comprises a tray adapted to slide with respect to the base, the tray being configured to move relative to the base when the lid is rotated, the tray comprising a first end connected to the lid and a second end comprising cams adapted to cause the articulated part of the intermediate component to tilt, the articulated part comprising the locking means.
 9. The case according to claim 8, wherein only the articulated part of the intermediate component is able to pivot inside the base, the remaining part of the intermediate component being fed into the base.
 10. The case according to claim 8, wherein the cams are adapted to cause the elastic deformation of the articulated part of the intermediate component.
 11. The case according to claim 8, wherein the cams are lateral protrusions configured to slide into a guide disposed within the base.
 12. The case according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate component is housed in the base.
 13. The case according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises at least one clasp hook adapted to collaborate with at least one mating shape situated inside the lid. 